I've got a copy of the lyrics of Captain Brown somewhere, as we found them out because we dance to the tune with Royal Manor Morris. The words I've got (when I find them) were given to me by a patient at work, so I can't vouch for their absolute accuracy.

Yo-ho, my lads, yo-ho. I'll tell you the tale of a sailor Who sailed the Bay of Biscay-o As the captain of a whaler. Of his gallant deed you all should know. Yo-ho, my lads, yo-ho. I'll tell the tale of the Nancy Lee, The ship that got shipwrecked at sea. The bravest man was Captain Brown, 'Cause he played his ukulele as the ship went down.

All the crew were in despair. Some rushed here and the others rushed there, But the captain sat in the captain's chair, And he played his ukulele as the ship went down. The pets on board were all scared stiff. The cat miaowed and the monkey sniffed. The old green parrot hung upside-down Screeching "Scratch-a-Paw Polly" as the ship went down.

The owner wirelessed to the crew: "Do the best that you can do. She's only insured for half-a-crown, So I'll be out of pocket if the ship goes down." The captain answered, "Oh, you see, It's all up with the Nancy Lee. You're all right, but what about me? I shall wet my ukulele as the ship goes down."

When they heard the news at the admiralty, They wirelessed to the Nancy Lee: "We'd like to speak to Captain Brown, If he isn't very busy when the ship goes down." The captain answered, "What's to do?" The admiralty said, "At half past two, We shall all be listening in to you As you play your ukulele when the ship goes down."

An Irishman said, "Begorrah! I'll fight The very first man that comes in sight." "You can't do that," said Captain Brown. "You have to box the compass as the ship goes down." He shouted, "Man the rafts. With chains and a rope you can bind them." The bosun searched both fore and aft, But dashed if he could find them.

At the mercy of the raging sea Was the good ship Nancy Lee. She struggled on against the storm. The cold, cold wind was far from warm, So all the crew 'cept Captain Brown Played "Ring Ring Roses" as the ship went down.

The captain's wife was on the ship, And he was glad she'd made the trip. As she could swim, she might not drown, So he tied her to the anchor as the ship went down. Now this is the tale of the Nancy Lee, The ship that got shipwrecked at sea; And Captain Brown, who was in command, Now plays his ukulele in a mermaid band.

As I said, I can't vouch for the absolute accuracy of the words, as the chap who gave me them was about 90, and remembering them from many years ago.

Is this the Version you know.... I have it down as "The Nancy lee" (Clinton Ford did a great version......

I`ll tell of the tale of the Nancy lee, The ship that got shipwrecked at sea. And the bravest man was Captain Brown, And he played his ukulele as the ship went down. All the crew were in despair, some rushed here and others rushed there, But the captain sat in the Captains chair. And he played his ukulele as the ship went down.

The pets on board were all scared stiff, The cat meowed and the monkey sniffed. The old green parrot hung upside down Saying Pretty Pretty Polly as the ship went down. The crows' nest fell and killed the crow. The starboard watch was two hours slow, But the Captain sang Yo-do-dodi-o-doh, As he played his ukulele as the ship went down.

The Captains wife was on the ship, And he was glad, she'd made the trip. As she could swim she might not drown, So he tied her to the anchor as the ship went down. They all cried women and children first. The engineer came up and cursed. Then all of a sudden the boiler burst. Still he played his ukulele as the ship went down.

And that was the tale of the Nancy Lee, The ship that got shipwrecked at sea. And the bravest man was Captain Brown, And he played his ukulele as the ship went down.

My father used to sing this song to my sister and I, one on each knee, about 65 years ago. I remember the tune well but unfortunately cannot write or play music. The only part of the song I can remember him singing is: I`ll tell you the tale of the Nancy lee, The ship that was shipwrecked at sea. The bravest man was Captain Brown, And he played his ukulele as the ship went down. All the crew were in despair, some rushed here and the others rushed there, But the captain sat in his cabin chair. And he played his ukulele as the ship went down.

for the record, "Wreck of the Nancy Lee" and "He Played His Ukelele As the Ship Went Down" have either been slated for inclusion in the Digital Tradition, or they're already there and I just can't find them. -Joe-

My wife Jan does this song--the Tom Lewis version--learned it from "Poles Apart"--which is a delightful CD. She's also made up a lot of stage business to go with the song. And sings it in the park, among other places. It's a smash hit with kids--of all ages.

My father (Léon Bournon)knew Arthur Leclerq and his daughter Pam well, as they ran the Army Kinema Corp's cinema at Arborfield, Berks in the 1950s/60s when my father's job was to supervise the network of Army cinemas. I know that Mr. Leclerq told Dad that he'd received royalties re the song even from China.

Hi Folks It a great fun song to sing with Mandolin. evrytime Nancy Lee appears on Mudcat I learn a new verse which I have never heard before.

Here is a verse so far not mentioned

The owners of the ship They telegraphed the crew. They said "please do the best that you can do. The ships only insured for half a Crown ( Old English curency And we will be outs of pocket if the ship goes down. Regards Pierre

Back in the early 1960's when I was less than 10 years old my Uncle Les used to sing this song to me....if he were alive today he would be around 90 years old , he was a real character and new many humerous songs like this one....any way ...the chorus he used to sing went like this...

All the crew were in dispair Some rushed here and the others rushed there I owe ten bob to Captain Brown But I'll never have to pay it if the Ship goes down

"Ten Bob" is a reference to Ten Shillings in old English Money ie One Bob would have been one shilling ( 1 Shilling would be worth todays 5 pence )

It would seem that there are many variations of this song , I hope this entry of mine is of use to those looking for the complete lyrics.....

Great I have been looking for this song. My granny used to sing this when I was about 5 years old.The gramophone we had played rather is a scratchy way but I am certain it was Leslie Sarony singing it. Funny I did go to sea but very lucky my ships never went down. Ted Bamford PS At 84 I am new to this computer lark